APEC and human security

APEC and human security

Some thinkers tend to criticize APEC for having too broad an
agenda, but the Asia-Pacific rim ministers' commitment to tackle
concerns about "human security" issues is not only relevant but
essential for the prosperity of the diverse economies in the
region.

The ministers held out the concept of human security as the
basic requirement for social stability and advancement and
specifically called for positive cooperation among nations in
actions for counterterrorism, health security and emergency
preparedness for disasters, as well as energy security.

Critics may point to these subjects as evidence of bloated
concerns at the APEC forum. Yet, the Asia-Pacific rim, which
encompasses extremely diverse economies and societies with
different cultures and traditions, has stepped onto a stage that
calls for great emphasis on spontaneous international
cooperation, particularly between more advanced nations and
developing ones, to address the many emerging problems in the
21st century.
-- The Korea Herald, Seoul